VP urges MPs to prioritise environment issues

August 27, 2008 12:00 am

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By Capital FM, NAIROBI, August 27 – Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka Wednesday challenged parliamentarians to be at the forefront in sensitising the society on the importance of conserving the environment.

Musyoka said the legislators have a duty to inculcate a sense of responsibility and accountability to the citizenry to engage in sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.

“We must speak loud against practices that threaten our very livelihoods and support implementation of international agreements that protect the environment," he said.

He made the remarks in Nairobi during a luncheon for delegates attending a Parliamentary Forum on ‘Sustainable Development and Aid Effectiveness.

His remarks come a day after the launch of a countrywide environmental education and awareness campaign by the ministry of environment where the Minister, John Michuki revealed that environmental issues would be mainstreamed in all sectors of the economy.

The three-day forum brings together parliamentarians from across Africa, Europe and Asia to share knowledge and experiences in areas of climate change and food security.

The Vice President said it was time to practice new system of parliamentary democracy geared towards tackling problems such as poverty and hunger.

“Let us not shy from making laws that impose heavy and deterrent penalties against those who engage in wanton destruction of our forests and pollution of our rivers even if such actions may not be popular with our voters," he urged.

He also said there was need for political leadership to lobby the business and manufacturing sectors to engage in environment friendly production processes that do not endanger the ecosystem.

Musyoka assured of Governments commitment to International treaties on environmental conservation.

“Environmental sustainability is a key component of vision 2030 development strategy which the government is implementing as a road map towards making the country a middle income economy by the year 2030”, he said.